The Nissan Qashqai e-POWER - Nissan bets on hybrid-like electric drive

Nissan Qashqai e-POWER rolls off the forecourt with a faint smell of warm rubber and quiet whirr from its electric motor as you pull away in near silence. The steering feels light but precise, and product chief Makoto Uchida talks about this drive as Nissan’s bridge between combustion and full electric.

How Nissan’s e-POWER system works

Under the hood of the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER sits a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that never drives the wheels directly; instead it acts purely as a generator for a 140 kW electric motor on the front axle.

The system delivers a combined output equivalent to 190 hp, with a 2.1 kWh lithium-ion battery buffering energy so the motor can respond instantly when you press the accelerator. Nissan calls this a series hybrid setup that aims to give the smooth response of an EV with the refuelling habits of a petrol car.

Driving feel and everyday usability

On a wet suburban street the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER pulls away in one uninterrupted surge, without any gear changes, thanks to the single-speed drive from the electric motor. Journalists who tested the car describe a linear, quiet acceleration especially noticeable in city traffic.

An available e-Pedal Step mode lets the driver use mainly the accelerator to speed up and slow down, increasing regenerative braking while still rolling gently instead of coming to a full stop like earlier one-pedal systems. That makes creeping in a parking garage feel natural yet reduces brake pedal use.

Space, equipment and family appeal

The Nissan Qashqai e-POWER remains a compact SUV with around 4.43 metres of length and a wheelbase of about 2.66 metres, offering enough legroom for a tall teenager to sit behind an equally tall driver. Reviewers note generous headroom and a practical rear bench that folds 60:40.

Boot capacity is quoted at around 504 litres in e-POWER versions, slightly reduced compared with pure combustion Qashqai models because of the battery packaging but still enough for a weekly supermarket run and a folded stroller. Nissan offers trims such as N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+ with different equipment levels.

Infotainment and assistance systems

Inside, the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims plus a central touchscreen of up to 9 inches supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Physical knobs for volume and climate keep basic adjustments tactile even on bumpy roads.

Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist, depending on grade, adds adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping support on motorways, combining camera and radar inputs to maintain distance and help keep the car centred in its lane. Other driver aids include blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and an around-view monitor with four cameras.

Efficiency, WLTP figures and markets

For Europe, Nissan quotes WLTP combined fuel consumption for the Qashqai e-POWER at around 5.3 to 5.4 litres per 100 km depending on wheel size and trim. CO? emissions hover near 119 to 122 g/km, positioning the car as a lower-emission option within the combustion SUV field.

The system can run the petrol engine at optimal rpm bands and use the battery as a buffer, which in theory reduces inefficiency from frequent stop-start driving. However, the car still produces tailpipe emissions, so it does not qualify as zero-emission in major European regulations.

Pricing and availability in key markets

In Germany the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER is listed from roughly 36,000 to 37,000 euros for mid-level trims, rising above 40,000 euros with Tekna or Tekna+ equipment and bigger alloy wheels. Dealers often quote slightly different prices depending on local promotions and optional packs.

In the UK market, Nissan prices the Qashqai e-POWER starting around £33,000 for certain grades, with versions like N-Connecta and Tekna sitting higher. The model is widely available across European Nissan dealerships, while in Japan e-POWER branding is used mainly on Note and Serena rather than Qashqai.

Nissan strategy and stock context

For CEO Makoto Uchida, Qashqai e-POWER is one of the charted pillars in Nissan’s Ambition 2030 roadmap, aimed at expanding electrified models without relying solely on full battery-electric platforms. It slots above the smaller Note e-POWER and below pure EVs like the Ariya.

On Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. stock (ISIN JP3672400003) reflects how investors read demand for electrified crossovers such as the Qashqai e-POWER alongside more traditional models and upcoming battery-electric launches.